Role Of Citizens - Community Participation

The challenge of making our roads safer can be met only with the wholehearted support and commitment of the entire community. So what can we do to help as citizens?

1. Be a model road user

Learn the rules and follow them conscientiously even when nobody is watching. Don’t justify traffic violations by saying that you are sure they are ‘safe.’ Remember, your actions inspire others and may lead to unsafe practices in the future.

2. Educate others

Share your knowledge with family, friends, and colleagues. Use creative means like art, music, or social media to spread awareness about road safety and traffic rules. Empower others to contribute to a safer community.

3. Be active citizens

Identify traffic problems in your area and actively follow up on solutions such as the installation of traffic signals or construction of necessary road infrastructure. Your active participation can drive positive change.

4. Don’t expect the Government to do it all

Communities have immense resources. Consider initiatives like building safety barriers or managing parking regulations outside schools and markets through private efforts and local funds.

5. Be a Good Samaritan

Always help road crash victims in need of medical care. The fear of legal complications is unwarranted. As per the Good Samaritan Law, no one will question your intentions when helping an accident victim.

6. Volunteer as a Traffic Marshal or a Traffic Sentinel

Join the Bareilly Traffic Police initiative to participate in traffic regulation and law enforcement. Become a Traffic Marshal or a Traffic Sentinel to report traffic violations and ensure safer roads in Bareilly.

Helping Road Crash Victims

Judgement of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India

In the case of Pt. Parmanand Katara V/S Union of India in Criminal Writ Petition No. 270 of 1988, dated 28.8.1989, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India observed:

“Every injured citizen brought for medical treatment should instantaneously be given medical aid to preserve life. The procedural criminal law should follow to avoid negligent death. There is no legal impediment for a medical professional to attend to an injured person needing immediate medical assistance. The effort to save the person should be the top priority of medical professionals, police, or any other citizen present.”

Can a doctor/hospital refuse medical care to emergency cases?

No. Every doctor is professionally obligated to provide immediate care to protect life, irrespective of legal formalities. Laws that interfere with this obligation are considered secondary to the duty of saving lives.

Should doctors/hospitals wait for the police before treating a road accident victim?

No. Treatment must not be delayed for police arrival or formalities. Immediate medical aid should be provided to all victims, whether the case is medico-legal or not.

Legal duty of drivers and doctors under the Motor Vehicles Act:

As per Section 134 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for drivers to assist accident victims by taking them to the nearest medical facility and for doctors to provide treatment without waiting for any formalities.

• Take all reasonable steps to ensure medical attention for the injured person, even if formalities are incomplete.
• Report the accident circumstances to the nearest police station within 24 hours if no officer is present at the scene.
• Provide necessary details, such as insurance policy information, crash details, and driver license particulars, to the insurer.

Failure to comply is punishable under Section 187 of the MV Act, 1988, with imprisonment up to 3 months or a fine up to Rs. 500, or both. Repeat offenders may face harsher penalties.